Pregnancy ..... cont =)

The day after I wrote the last note - I felt the baby kick for the first time. At first I was like "Was that a kick?" and everyday since that day I've felt it. It's so exciting. It's reassurance that everything is ok and it's growing and learning to move.

Even when I got the bump, I'd worry - is it ok? Is it growing? Moving? Doing everything it's supposed to? Now that I can actually feel it move - I'm settling into the excitement of Michael and I becoming parents and not worrying so much.

I haven't gained much weight yet - not that I'm complaining. I've gained about 8lbs - give or take. I'm trying to eat healthy and not pack on a bunch of extra weight. Michael has been wonderful helping me resist the chocolate, caffeine, and sweet cravings. I've been stocking up on fresh fruit to help provide healthy snack alternatives. =)

This past weekend we flew into Melbourne, FL to see some friends and family. Thursday night we went to his aunt Linda's house and I met her and her kids for the first time, as well as the Fritz's. They are all so much fun!! I enjoyed the get together very much and look forward to many more family get togethers in the future =) I really love and appreciate how close knit and welcoming his entire family is - it's a wonderful feeling to be a part of such an amazing family. I'm glad I didn't get voted off the island =P His aunt Linda made us a cake with baby booties on top - one blue and one pink. She told us whichever one was cut first was what we were having. We saved the top layer with the booties for Saturday night dinner with his parents. Martha cut the pink bootie first. We now have about 4 votes for a girl. haha.


On Friday, we met his friend Keith and his gf Tera and went to SeaWorld. I lasted until about 530 and then fatigue hit. The baby has brought on a new kind of exhaustion. I just can't do what I used to anymore. Michael is so understanding with that. As soon as I say I'm tired, whatever we're doing is over. He's going to make a wonderful father - so patient and understanding =)

SeaWorld was awesome though - we got through about 75% of the park done before leaving.

Friday night we had dinner with his parents. Saturday we walked up into Cocoa Village to some of the stores, went to lunch and Get Smart that afternoon, and then had dinner with his parents and a couple they are friends with =)

All in all it was a wonderful trip. I always enjoy getting away .. and also getting to see the Lopez fam =)

Mommy in the Making

The feeling of becoming a mommy is indescribable. I thought I'd be more scared or apprehensive, but I'm so excited. And I couldn't dream of being married to and having children with any other man than Michael. He's been absolutely wonderful since we started talking and has gotten better everyday. I know he'll be a wonderful father. Having that trust in him and the wonderful relationship that we do makes becoming a mommy a wonderful adventure in life. This is going to be great and I can't wait to meet our baby.

I've always heard horror stories about morning sickness, back pain, various other things. Morning sickness sucked, but it GOES AWAY. I think people forget to tell you that. I haven't had back paiusedn, but I think my sciatic nerve has been sat on a couple of times. That's the baby getting me back for doing it to mom =P Sleeping can be sucky. It's better when Michael's around. It's hard to get comfy in a big empty bed when I can only sleep on my side. Apprenhension comes, but so does excitement =)

As far as when the baby comes, we're going against "tradition" and doing things the traditional way (by that I mean how things used to be done traditionally). We're hoping to deliver the baby at home with a midwife =) We couldn't be happier about our decision. Our midwife has been great so far and we're looking forward to her helping us through this process of becoming parents =)

Life

So I realized I didn't continue my last post. Oops. Oh well. I might insert a post about last week's ER experiences if I get a chance.

Josiah and Laura's wedding was yesterday. It was nice and we enjoyed the festivities. Michael and I were discussing though how all the festivities aren't for everyone and how glad we are that we got married the way we did.

more later .. i'm about to fall asleep

Trauma: Life in the ER - as a nursing student

Monday, May 26

So because I had already gone through orientation and been working at the hospital some, I had the pleasure of working this past week instead of sitting in classes.

Monday and Tuesday were quite eventful, Wednesday not so much.

For those who don't know, I'm in the ED (formally called the ER) in a community hospital. We get it raw basically. Monday I was with an awesome nurse who started me out first thing in the morning doing anything and everything she could find for me to do. I attempted all the IVs on her patients, except the first one and maybe one other one. I wasn't successful on any of them, although she was able to use the one I blew through. =\ She let me give almost all the meds to the patients including subcutaneous and intramuscular injections. So exciting!! =)

I felt somewhat bad putting unsuccessful IVs in people, but I know it's happened to every nurse at some point in time. The best way to learn is through experience and practice makes perfect. I got better. She didn't give up on me and kept showing me techniques. I felt more confident each time I attempted.

Giving injections was a big thrill for me. I feel very confident about those. I even remembered to pull back for IMs!!!! I was really glad I didn't make anyone scream. =)

One of our patients was a respiratory patient with pneumonia. His oxygen blood saturation levels were dropping the whole time he was in there so we had to intubate him. They let me push the meds for it. It was exciting and scary at the same time to know that I was paralyzing someone. Everyone was wonderful though explaining what was going on during the procedure.

We also had a falls patient that turned out to be a cardiac patient. She had fallen the night before and came in short of breath, pain on deep inspiration, and slight retractions when laying down. It wasn't until she had been in there for a WHILE and her cardiac blood work came back and one of her cardiac enzymes was EXTREMELY elevated indicating and MI (heart attack) or equivocal cardiac event. They got started with meds on her really quick.

I found it interesting how those in the medical field get so set on the "common" presenting signs and symptoms for a certain condition that they miss little things or not so common. Kind of like not giving credit to the few small trees that are starting to sprout because there isn't a big forest around them. They don't see the forest those trees will eventually turn in to. I'm not in any way saying that I would have considered an MI or any cardiac event. I'm just saying that I think it's interesting how much faith some people place in doctors to know an excessive amount of information and be able to determine within a few minutes or hours what's wrong with them and how to fix it.

Tuesday, May 27

I worked with a different nurse mainly in the OB/GYN rooms. We had lots of women with pelvic/abdominal pain and cramping. I attempted a few IVs. I was successful with one, but it slid out on me - stupid catheter. I saw a few pelvic exams and we administered a lot of morphine. One patient was in the ED from 0700 to 1500 or 1600. Long time. Finally found out she had gallstones, but she didn't want surgery - just pain meds and to go home.

I'm beginning to think it interesting how many people will come spend half a day in an ER just to get some pain meds that they can't refill and have to come back later. Instead they could go to a doctor who can monitor them and all their conditions, instead of just their current condition. A regular doctor can also give them refillable pain medication. I just don't understand what kind of logic some of these people are operating with.

The main excitement of my day came as I was rounding the corner to leave for lunch. My nurse directed me into one of the cardiac/trauma rooms where a CODE was in progress. Unfortunate for the patient, but loads of excitement for me. I walked in about halfway through, but they were still shocking, pushing meds, and trying to pace the patient's heart. I put in my first catheter during that event and it was successful on the first attempt! =) Unfortunately after a good 15-25 minutes, the time was called and me and a nurse cleaned up the room and made the patient as presentable as possible.

As I reflected on the situation later, I wondered why it wasn't difficult for me to watch a patient die in that manner, but it was in the situation of cancer or other progressive disease. The only answer I came up with was it was easier to watch someone just die without them really knowing it or at least appear to know than it was to watch someone suffer day after day and then just give up. I can't stand to watch other people suffer. I suppose that's why I like an ER. We take care of the people for the moment - other people with more patience endure the suffering. I don't mean it to sound harsh, I just don't like watching the suffering.

Wednesday, May 28

I was with another nurse today. We received report about 0715 or so. By 0730, I had put in my first successful IV. I had a major boost of confidence and my day was made. The day was fairly uneventful. I administered some pain meds to that same patient. We had a respiratory patient come in. I started another successful catheter.

to be continued....

Our World

Updates:
Michael received the transfer to ATL to a bigger CRJ that he was really wanting. I received a job offer as an NAII-Secretary in the ER, as well as a summer externship in the same department. I really wanted to be in the ER and am very excited about the opportunities I'll have over the next year.

I only have one more exam to go and I'll be a senior!! woot!!

Married!!

Michael and I got married today in a small ceremony at home. His parents and my parents were both here - actually dad did the ceremony for us =)
My brother, Josiah, and his fiance, Laura came. Josiah gave me away =)
My grandmother also came up for the day. Some of my friends Ashley E (my maid of honor), Catherine, her boyfriend Ben, and Ashley (from school) were also able to come =)

We all sat around and visited for a little while afterwards and then everyone headed back home.

We are headed out to the Outer Banks to Kitty Hawk for a mini honeymoon, but are still planning to have our honeymoon to Jamaica in August.

We'll still be having a reception/celebration as soon as we have a chance to put one together =)